The Reverend Carole Paynter

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Rev. Carole Paynter, who died on Tuesday, October 2, 2018, after some medical complications, at Stony Brook University Hospital. Carole Angela Paynter, born October 9, 1961 in Hackney Hospital, London, England, was a loving and affectionate child to Veda and Fitzroy Paynter. Carole had some complications at birth and spent a brief period hospitalized in an oxygen tent. Her personal motto is found in John 4:34, “Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work.”’

Carole learned the value of education from an early age from her parents. She received her undergraduate degree from Barnard College at Columbia University, where she majored in psychology and then pursued a law degree. She held a juris doctor law degree from Brooklyn Law School and was a practicing attorney for twenty-seven years. 

Carol discovered that she had a heartfelt desire to lead people to connect with the Lord Jesus Christ through church worship, Bible study and reflection. She pursued studies in theology and in 2012 graduated (cum laude) from the New Brunswick Theological Seminary in NJ. She was a recipient of a UM City Society Urban Ministry Scholarship. Carole served as the pastor of Smithtown UMC in Smithtown, NY beginning in July 2014. Her previous appointment was at Bethel UMC in Brooklyn, NY. Carole served on the board of Anchor House and was the chair of the Long Island East District Board of Trustees.

Carole had a great love for life. As a child growing up in Montreal, Quebec she loved the Montreal Canadiens hockey team and had her own hockey stick and skates so she could practice the sport like many other neighborhood children. She enjoyed summers at the pool where she taught herself to swim. Carole loved singing and playing the piano. She also loved dance and was a student of Olga Spencer at the Negro Community Center in Montreal. Carole never pursued anything half-way; she put her full soul into everything she did.

Carole learned from an early age the value of family. She loved family gatherings and especially the holidays with family. She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Veda. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Dominique; her father, Fitzroy Paynter; her siblings, Dawn and Stephen; her step-father, Nicholas; her aunts, Jean and Nola; her uncle, Eddie; and a host of cousins and friends in the United Kingdom, Canada and the Caribbean. May her soul rest in peace.

The following are the arrangements of the family for Rev. Paynter, according to her daughter’s wishes:

Tuesday night, October 9, 2018 from 6pm – 9pm, including dinner, will be a night to celebrate her birthday and remember her with music, remarks, dance, stories and memories. This will take place at her home church where her journey began (St. John’s UMC, 2105 Stuart Ave, Valley Stream, NY 11580). 

Wednesday night, October 10, 2018, at 7:00pm, a celebration of life service will take place at Smithtown UMC, 230 Middle Country Rd, Smithtown, NY 11787. There will be special music by the church choir and others. Rev. Dr. Allen N. Pinckney, Jr will offer the eulogy. Clergy are asked to wear white robes with white stoles.

Per the wishes of Carole’s daughter, Dominique, there will be no public viewing.